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Avila, Gose among options to bat second for Tigers vs. RHPs

by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said Monday he is "seriously considering" batting catcher Alex Avila second in the order against right-handed pitchers, per MLive.com. Anthony Gose appears to be the other main option, but Gose could also lead off, which would allow Ian Kinsler to bat second.

Ausmus added Jose Iglesias could also work into the mix, but he doesn't see Yoenis Cespedes, J.D. Martinez or Nick Castellanos as options to bat second.

Tigers manager Brad Ausmus is not hiding his excitement about the acquisition of outfielder Anthony Gose, who was picked up in a November trade with the Blue Jays.

"This is a guy that everyone has touted since he was a teenager," Ausmus said during a radio interview Monday, according to the Detroit Free Press. "I don't want to put pressure on him and say, 'impact player,' because he's probably not going to be that for us right away. But he has that type of ability inside him.

"He's an extremely athletic kid. This is a kid who can easily go into the gaps to run down balls. He's got a cannon for an arm."

While Gose is touted for his speed and defensive prowess, his offense has been lacking at the major-league level. He has just a .234 average in 202 career games. Although, Ausmus still has hope Gose will improve offensively.

"There is a little learning curve to hitting, certainly at the major-league level," Ausmus said. "But we're hoping his athleticism and (Tigers hitting coach) Wally Joyner can make him turn that corner."

The Blue Jays have traded outfielder Anthony Gose to the Tigers for second baseman Devon Travis, according to Sportsnet.

Gose ranked as the 39th best prospect in the game in 2012 according to Baseball America, but hasn't developed as expected in the majors. Gose hit .234/.301/.332 over 552 career at-bats in the majors. The 23-year-old Travis hit .298/.358/.460 in Double-A last year.